Undergraduate – Admission/Audition Requirements

Texas Tech University follows a holistic admissions policy.  That is, there are no specific requirements for GPA or test scores.

Students who graduate from an accredited high school or equivalent (including Department of Defense schools) with the required course work will be assured admission if they present the combination of class rank and minimum test scores indicated below:

Assured admission will be granted to all students who hold scholarships awarded by an official Texas Tech University scholarship committee.

In addition, students seeking degrees in music must also apply and audition for the School of Music.  The audition requirements for each area of study are listed below. In addition, every student is asked to send a letter of reference with the application. There is not a specific reference form at this time. Please mail to the following address:

Coordinator of Admissions and Scholarships
TTU School of Music
P.O. Box 42033
Lubbock, TX 79409-2033

Applications for auditions must be received two weeks before the date of the audition.

Voice Applicants: Prepare two selections of your choice in contrasting styles, one of which should be in a language other than English.  In addition, there will be a short sightreading exercise to sing.  You will not need to bring an accompanist.  An expert accompanist will be provided by the TTU School of Music.  The music does not need to be submitted prior to the audition.  No taped accompaniments are allowed.

Woodwind and Brass Applicants:  Choose music that demonstrates both technical and musical proficiencies. You will not need to bring an accompanist.

Percussion Applicants:  Prepare at least two pieces or etudes demonstrating two different percussion areas (i.e. snare and mallets, snare and timpani, mallets and timpani, drumset and mallets, drumset and timpani).  Accompaniment is not necessary but you may provide your own if you like.

Keyboard Applicants:  Performance majors (or Browning-Biggs Scholarship applicants) must present a minimum of three memorized compositions in contrasting styles.  A concerto movement may be substituted for one of the repertoire selections.

All other keyboard applicants (Music Education, Music Theory, Composition, Bachelor of Arts in Music) should perform a minimum of two contrasting repertoire pieces, one of which must be memorized.

In addition to the repertoire, demonstration of technical proficiency through playing of scales, arpeggios, and etudes is encouraged.  Applicants may also be asked to sight read.

Violin and Viola Applicants:  must prepare two contrasting movements and present a 3-octave scale. You will not need to bring an accompanist.

Cello Applicant: must prepare two contrasting movements and present a 3-4 octave scale. You will not need to bring an accompanist.

Double Bass Applicants: must prepare two contrasting solo pieces.  (Suggestion:  A movement from a Baroque sonata and a concerto movement or solo piece.)  You will also need to prepare two major scales (2-3 octaves).  Orchestral excerpts will be considered optional.  You will not need to bring an accompanist.

Harp Applicants: must prepare two contrasting solo pieces and play a 2-octave scale, hands together.

Guitar Applicants must prepare two contrasting solo pieces and play a 2 octave scale.

Composition Applicants:  In addition to auditioning on your principal instrument according to the requirements listed above, you will need to submit supporting materials in the form of musical scores.

Theory Applicants:  In addition to auditioning on your principal instrument according to the requirements listed above, you will need to submit supporting materials in the form of a paper written on a musical topic and you will need to take a theory placement exam at the time of your audition.